The number of spectators attending women's elite sports events in the UK is set to break the half-million barrier for the first time in 2018.

According to data analysis by sports marketing specialist Two Circles, the number of fans watching women’s sport will hit 682,000 this year – an increase of 49 per cent on 2017 figures.

The report is the latest indication that women’s sport is currently experiencing a huge surge in popularity.

Since 2013, attendances for UK women’s sports have grown, on average, 38 per cent year-on-year.

According to Two Circles, the growth has been driven by a huge increase in media coverage and awareness of women’s sport – as well as the success of recent major international tournaments hosted on UK soil.

These include the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which sold out a record number of games for an international women’s cricket tournament, including the final.

The introduction of new, professionally-organised events across football, hockey, netball and rugby union has also increased the number of elite events organised across the UK.